New Delhi: In a blow to the opposition parties, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday rejected the impeachment motion moved by seven opposition parties, including the Congress.

"This act of members (opposition) of discussing the conduct of the CJI in the press is against propriety and parliamentary decorum as it denigrates the institution of CJI" , Mr Naidu said in a statement.

According to sources, the decision was taken after “due consultation”.

Meanwhile, the senior counsel Prashant Bhushan criticised Mr Naidu’s decision and said, “He has no power to say the charges are not made out”.

“What!! VP Naidu rejects impeachment motion against CJI signed by 64 RS MPs! On what grounds? He has no power to say that charges are not made out. That's for the inquiry committee of 3 judges. He only has to see if it's signed by 50 MPs & possibly if charges are of misbehavior” he tweeted.

The Vice-President has reportedly consulted Attorney General KK Venugopal and other senior advocates. (UNI)